The advent of the Nations League means international friendlies have never felt so meaningless, but if Gareth Southgate’s latest squad has underlined anything, it is that performances for England matter.
Last week, the England manager denied suggestions he was guilty of “double standards” by picking out-of-form Harry Maguire while leaving out his Manchester United team-mates Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, who have also struggled for consistency this season.
